Now Hooper’s concept is making its way to the App Store in the form of an upcoming iPad app called SlideWriter.

A video demo for SlideWriter was posted by the app’s developer over the weekend:

For comparison, see the original concept:

Pretty similar, right? Both examples rely on finger dragging and holding to perform text editing functions that would otherwise have to be accomplished by the traditional ‘tap and hold’ method. The jailbreak tweak that applies Hooper’s concept, SwipeSelection, works exactly like SlideWriter. The only difference is that SwipeSelection is integrated into the iOS keyboard for use in any app. SlideWriter, due to Apple’s restrictions in the App Store, is self-contained.

What this guy doesn’t realise is that by making it public he has severely *reduced* the possibility that Apple will use the idea. the right approach would have been to quietly contact Apple about it.

The way this was done got maximum publicity and kudos for the designer, but the only way Apple can now use this is to actually *purchase* it from him (which might have been his plan all along).

There used to be a big notice on Apple’s website somewhere to the effect of “please don’t send us your ideas because that just means we can’t ever implement them.” This is exactly that.

JacktheMac

‘the right approach would have been to quietly contact Apple about it. ‘

“please don’t send us your ideas because that just means we can’t ever implement them.”

Eh ?

About the author

Alex Heath is a senior writer at Cult of Mac and co-host of the CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like "ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation." If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Twitter always works too.

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